12:40 The bundle will deploy massively with troop relocations in case of war
For the possibility of an escalation at the NATO eastern flank, Germany and the Bundeswehr are planning the deployment of hundreds of thousands of soldiers from alliance member states through Germany. This is reported by "Spiegel" with reference to informed circles. The plans involve the ability to move around 800,000 soldiers with approximately 200,000 vehicles from North Sea ports in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany to the east within three to six months. The column would be about 13,000 kilometers long. The preparations are part of the secretly designated Operationsplan Deutschland, which the Bundeswehr has developed to make Germany battle-ready.
12:21 Kremlin dismisses allegation of murder plot against Rheinmetall CEO as "fake news"
Russia dismisses the report of a planned assassination on Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger as false. According to the Presidium in Moscow, such reports are based on anonymous sources and cannot be taken seriously. The US news network CNN reported on Thursday that the US and Germany had thwarted an early-year assassination plot by Russia against Papperger. FDP Bundestag member Reinhard Houben now calls for a special session of the BundesSicherheitsrat. If the CNN report is true, the federal government must draw clear consequences, he says. Planned attacks on German citizens in Germany would have "a new quality of escalation".
12:05 "For the new era": China holds military exercises with Russia
China is holding joint military exercises with Russia, according to its own statements. The exercises under the name "Joint Sea-2024" began at the beginning of July and are scheduled to last until mid-month, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced. The exercises are taking place in the sea and airspace near the city of Zhanjiang in the southern province of Guangdong. The joint exercises are intended to "demonstrate the determination and capability of both sides to deal with threats to maritime security and maintain global and regional peace and stability," the ministry explained. They are also intended to "deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia for the new era."
11:47 Kiev intends to bring shelling of children's clinic to International Criminal Court
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General intends to bring the alleged Russian artillery shelling of a children's hospital in Kiev to the International Criminal Court (ICC). "Cases like intentional shelling of the largest children's hospital in Kiev should go to the ICC," says Andrij Kostin. Russia denies responsibility for the shelling and speaks of a malfunction of the Ukrainian air defense. Experts reject this. They point out that a surface-to-air missile would have caused many small craters or depressions at the impact site - and not a half-collapsed building like in Kiev.
11:14 Ukrainian 68th Separate Brigade: "Wonderwork of Technology" captured
The Ukrainian 68th Separate Brigade reports on social media about the capture of a modern T-90 Proryv tank. This refers to the most advanced version from the T-90 series and the T-14 is the most modern combat tank of the Russian armed forces. The Ukrainian brigade refers to it as "Wonderwork of Technology". The captured model is said to be in a nearly functional condition. The soldiers have published various photos. The soldiers also report the capture of a T-80 combat tank and a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle. Their plans are to use the three vehicles against the Russian invaders.
10:52 Interior Ministry sees "significantly increased threat from Russian aggression"
Against the background of reports of attack plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasizes the resolve of German security agencies. "We do not comment on individual threat situations," said the SPD politician. "We take the significantly increased threat from Russian aggression very seriously." Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to undermine support for Ukraine, according to Faeser. "But we will not be intimidated." Security measures have been significantly increased in response to the Russian threats in the past two years. "The threats range from espionage, sabotage and cyber attacks to state terrorism."
10:27 "US election is the greatest risk factor for Ukraine"
NATO announces that Ukraine will join the military alliance - after the war ends. This seems to neither bring euphoria nor hope in Ukraine. The NATO rhetoric repeats itself, the promises have become familiar to the Ukrainians, so journalist Denis Trubetskoy.
10:03 HUR: Russian deep-sea vessel damaged
A modernized Russian deep-sea vessel is reportedly damaged, according to Ukrainian reports, during tests in the European North Sea. The Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR reports that the crew lost control during the launch of the AS-36 on July 1. "As a result of the incident, the Russian deep-sea vessel suffered damage that prevented further testing," it says on Telegram. Russia is currently assessing the damage and the time required for repairs of the vessel.
09:32 Russian "troll army" spread propaganda for the AfD before EU election
Anonymous actors are said to have attempted to influence the European election through covert social media campaigns, according to a report by "Der Spiegel". An analysis by the private research institute Trollrensics, which evaluated the activities of so-called troll armies in Europe on behalf of the Dutch Social Democrats, revealed this. In Germany, the AfD reportedly profited most from the covert support. According to the analysis, a large number of posts advocating for the AfD during the EU election were spread by a small group that used thousands of accounts. The analysts believe that this network was likely Russian-controlled.
09:04 Increase in GPS Disturbances - ISW Reports Intensifying Hybrid Campaign from Moscow
Finnish authorities report an increase in GPS disturbances in the past week. Most of the disturbances are believed to have originated from GPS and radar in the air and maritime traffic from Russia, according to the Institute for the Study of War. A Finnish lighthouse keeper reported on X that he experienced severe GPS and radar disturbances while guiding boats near Kotka and Hamina on the Finnish south coast. The GPS was unavailable for about 90 percent of the route between the Orrengrund Lighthouse Station and Hamina Port. This aligns with reports of Russian GPS disturbances in the Baltic states and other European regions, according to the ISW. It is likely that the Russians from the Kaliningrad region also disrupted the GPS of a British defense minister's aircraft, forcing Finnair to cancel several flights from Finland. The ISW's conclusion: "Russia's apparent GPS disturbances are likely part of an intensifying hybrid campaign by Russia, directly targeting NATO countries, to undermine support for Ukraine and NATO unity."
08:37 Kiev: Five Russian Cruise Missiles Intercepted - Russians Seem to be Overloading Air Defense
The Ukrainian Air Force reports intercepting all five Kalibr cruise missiles of the Kh-101 type fired by the Russian armed forces towards Ukraine. Eleven of the 19 drones were also destroyed. The main target of the Russian attack was the city of Starokostiantyniv, which has a significant military airport. The city is located in the Oblast of Khmelnytskyi in western central Ukraine. The eleven drones were intercepted over six regions, including Sumy, Kiev, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolajiv. The Ukrainian Air Force does not provide information on the fate of the remaining drones. "It is likely that the enemy is mimicking attack drones to overload air defense. There is no information about casualties or damages."
08:22 Greens Defend Stationing Plan: It's About Protection
Greens Fraktion Vice President Agnieszka Brugger defends the planned deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany. She understands that many people may associate this with the Cold War, says the defense expert in Deutschlandfunk. However, these measures are not a contribution to arms racing but serve defensive purposes. In the 80s, two power blocs faced each other, neither of which wanted maximum escalation, explained Brugger. Nevertheless, there were many dangerous situations back then. Today, there is a brutal aggressor who is breaking international law, has switched to a war economy, and is waging the bloodiest war against Ukraine. The stationing plan is therefore about solidarity and protection, not aggression.
07:53 Shocked over Attack on Children's Clinic: Russian Pilot Leaked Apparent Data of Commanders
A Russian pilot is reportedly suspected of leaking confidential information to the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR), contributing to the identification of 30 commanders of the Russian heavy bomber aviation division. According to "Kyiv Independent", this information was obtained from a confidential source within the intelligence service. The Russian pilot, who is said to serve in the 22nd heavy bomber aviation division, reportedly contacted HUR on July 8 following the devastating Russian attack on the children's hospital in Kiev. This attack allegedly shocked him so much that he decided to take this step. The pilot is believed to have provided personal information, including photos and other confidential documents, on over 30 Russian commanders.
07:28 Rheinmetall-CEO: Russian Wear-Out War Could Last Forever
Rheinmetall Chairman of the Board Armin Papperger believes that the war in Ukraine could last a long time. The current wear-out war is damaging the Russians, but it can still last forever, he said in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Papperger also anticipates sustained growth for the Düsseldorf-based defense conglomerate. The sales are projected to increase by 40% in this year.
07:05 An Alleged Assassination Plot Against Rheinmetall-CEO? Suspected Russian Agents Were Reportedly Already in the EU
The threat to Rheinmetall-CEO Armin Papperger from alleged assassination plans was apparently more concrete than previously known. According to information from the "Spiegel" citing security sources, suspicious travels of suspected agents were observed in recent months. These men were believed to be from countries of the former Soviet Union, at least one from Russia. Some had already been in the Schengen Area, while others had planned to enter. Suspicious individuals were reportedly detected in the vicinity of the Rheinmetall headquarters as well as at Papperger's travel destinations abroad. Senior officials suspect that these could have been "proxies" of Russian intelligence services – hired hands from Moscow.
06:49 Heusgen: Berlin Still Underestimates the Gravity of the Situation
The head of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, criticizes the majority of the German government for their communication regarding the Ukraine war. "In Germany, the Defense Minister speaks candidly about the need for us to prepare for war. But most of his cabinet colleagues still underestimate the gravity of the situation," he lamented. Putin reportedly aims to restore the old Soviet Union. "We're still downplaying it all a bit here," Heusgen stated. "People need a clear and honest account of what Russia has broken in treaties, how Russia is rearming, and that Russia has stationed nuclear-capable missiles in Kaliningrad, which can reach Germany."
06:22 Spionage for Russia: Australian Couple ArrestedTwo Australian citizens of Russian descent have been arrested in Australia on espionage charges. The 40 and 62-year-old couple are accused of obtaining material from the Australian military to give to Russian authorities, according to the Australian Federal Police. The wife in question is a soldier in the Australian military. The Australian authorities accuse the couple of planning a spying offense. They face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The operation to unmask the couple was a complex one by a special taskforce of the Police and Intelligence Services, according to Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw.
05:55 Alarm after Report on Murder Plans: "The Putin Regime is now targeting German citizens as well"A CNN report on alleged Russian assassination plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger has caused alarm in Germany. "It shows once again that Russia is bringing its war and terror to Europe," says the chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP to the "Bild" newspaper. "The Putin regime is now targeting German citizens as well." The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth of the SPD, tells the paper that Putin is not only waging a war of annihilation against Ukraine, but also against its supporters and our values. US intelligence services, according to CNN, discovered plans of the Russian government to assassinate Papperger at the beginning of the year. The German side was informed, and the 61-year-old was subsequently given special protection.
05:18 Hungary accuses NATO Allies of HypocrisyThe Hungarian government accuses its NATO partners of hypocrisy and failure in dealing with Russia's attack on Ukraine at the end of the NATO summit in Washington. "We will continue to advocate for dialogue and diplomatic channels, as the current strategy of the last two and a half years has been a total failure," says Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, according to a spokesman in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Szijjarto represented Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who left the summit early to meet former US President Donald Trump in Florida.
04:35 Britain calls on NATO Allies to Increase Defense EffortsBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a plan for his government at the NATO summit in Washington to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP. Simultaneously, he called on other allies to do the same. 23 of the 32 members of the Alliance currently spend less than 2% of their GDP on defense, in the face of serious threats to security, Starmer said.
03:30 Biden: I would talk to Putin if he were open to changeUS President Joe Biden currently sees no point in talking to Putin. In general, he is open to talking to any state or government leader - including Chinese State and Party Chairman Xi Jinping, Biden stressed at a press conference following the NATO summit. This also applies if Putin calls him. "I'm saying I'm open to talking to anyone, but I don't see any willingness on his part," Biden said. Putin must be willing to change his behavior.
02:32 Building of new NATO-Ukraine Command in Wiesbaden beginsIn Wiesbaden, the construction of the new NATO-Ukraine Command for coordinating weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces starts today. However, the supreme allied commander Europe is expected to still need several months to set up the command so that it can take on all planned tasks, NATO representatives stated on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. In the meantime, US military forces will continue to assume coordination duties. The deployment is also intended to be a precaution for the possible return of Donald Trump as US President after January 2025.
01:58 Scholz rejects unlimited weapons engagement against RussiaFederal Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for lifting all restrictions on the use of Western weapons against Russian territory. "Nobody intends to change the previous guidelines and regulations - for good reasons," says the SPD politician at the end of the NATO summit. We want to support Ukraine as much as possible, but prevent the war from escalating into a war between Russia and NATO, Scholz adds. Zelenskyy is primarily concerned about military bases in Russian territory from which rocket attacks on Ukraine originate. More than 40 civilians, including children, were killed in attacks on Ukrainian cities on Monday.
01:25 Scholz on attack report: Aware of Russian threatsIn connection with a media report about Russian plans to target Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has referred to Russian threats. "I won't say anything about that in detail," Scholz said at the NATO summit in Washington. "But I'd be happy to tell you that we are very well aware that we are exposed to various threats from Russian activities."
00:40 UN calls on Russia to withdraw from Zaporizhzhia NPPThe United Nations General Assembly calls on Russia to withdraw its military and other non-authorized personnel from the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia NPP. Russia should restore the facility under the full control of Ukrainian authorities, according to a UN resolution passed with 99 yes votes, nine no votes, and 60 abstentions. The Zaporizhzhia NPP, Europe's largest, was taken over by Russia shortly after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Although it has been shut down, it still requires external energy to keep the nuclear material cool and prevent a nuclear meltdown.
23:36 Pistorius expects correction in budget 2025Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is convinced that there will be adjustments in favor of the defense budget in the 2025 budget plan. "I assume that further talks will lead to changes," says the SPD politician in ARD. He will not stop advocating for equipping the Bundeswehr to fulfill its tasks.
22:46 Kremlin: "On the best way to a Cold War"The Kremlin criticizes the planned stationing of US long-range weapons in Germany as a return to the Cold War. "We are on the best way to a Cold War. All of this has happened before," says Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov to Russian state television. Peskow accuses Germany, the US, France, and Britain of directly involvement in the conflict over Ukraine. "And all the features of the Cold War are returning - with confrontation, with direct confrontation between adversaries," he says. "All of this is being done to undermine our country. All of this is being done to ensure our strategic defeat on the battlefield," emphasizes Peskow. During the Cold War, however, there was peace in Europe. Russia began its war against Ukraine in 2014, which it expanded massively in 2022.
21:34 Zelenskyy: Demands for western weapons restrictions to endUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for the lifting of all restrictions on the use of western weapons against Russian territory at the NATO summit in Washington. "If we want to win and save our country, then all these restrictions must be lifted," emphasizes the Ukrainian head of state. The focus is primarily on military bases in the Russian hinterland from which rocket attacks are launched. "If they attack us and kill our children, it's crazy to ask why we can't attack this military base," so Zelenskyy.
20:58 USA announces further aid package with Patriot systemUS President Joe Biden announces another aid package for Ukraine worth $225 million. Part of the package includes a Patriot system, which is intended to strengthen the Ukrainian air defense against Russian air attacks. In addition, the package includes NASAMS missile defense systems, multiple rocket launchers of the HIMARS type, as well as artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 millimeters, according to the US government. The weapons come from US military stocks.
20:19 Stoltenberg accuses Russia of intimidation campaignNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reports on a Russian campaign of hostile actions against the alliance. It aims to intimidate NATO members and prevent them from supporting Ukraine. However, this approach has had the opposite effect, says Stoltenberg at the NATO summit in Washington.
- In the context of increased military deployments at the NATO eastern flank, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, is calling for stronger support from NATO due to the ongoing Ukraine-Conflict.
- Germany is planning extensive military deployments in response to potential threats from Russia, involving the movement of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and vehicles to the east. This operation is part of Operationsplan Deutschland developed by the Bundeswehr.
- Reports suggest Russia is responsible for the shelling of a children's clinic in Kiev, which Ukrainian authorities intend to bring to the attention of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The incident has heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia, further fueling the Ukraine-Conflict.
- As part of escalating tensions, there have been allegations of an assassination plot targeted at Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, reportedly orchestrated by Russian intelligence agents. German authorities have taken necessary measures to protect Papperger, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
- Cyberwarfare also plays a significant role in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with reports of increased GPS disturbances in European regions suspected to be a part of an intensifying hybrid campaign from Moscow.
